Thursday 29 January 2015

What ISTQB Is All About? How ISTQB Certification Benefits?

Introduction

If you are a test manager, professional tester, programmer or a quality assurance staff member, then you have already discovered that, far from being straightforward and trivial as well. On the other hand, being new to the software testing industry, there's lot to know and understand to get the career achievements. ISTQB certification is one of them that is all about raising common practices to the level of the best practices.

What is ISTQB?

ISTQB (The International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is an organization providing qualification-based certification in the software testing industry. Founded in 2002, it is legally registered in Belgium. Basically, it is responsibly provides the international qualification scheme, which is termed as ISTQB Certified Tester. Their syllabus is entirely based on the qualifications. They follow a hierarchy of guidelines along with qualifications for examination & accreditation. The vision of this certified organization is to define and maintain a knowledge-based body that actually allow testers to be certified on the best practices. They also encourage them to do research in the testing profession and provide the international software testing community to them.


What is ISTQB Certification?

The ISTQB certification is the certification examination, which is organized by the ISTQB and conducted internationally. It is carefully formulated exam that provide a chance to the capable testers who have incredible professional skills for getting advanced knowledge of software testing after cracking it. It gives great support to their career path by providing certification levels that are corresponded to their roles and experience as well. In addition, this certification in testing industry promotes & advances software testing as a profession, not just an auxiliary role on a team of software development.

The ISTQB certification program can sound like other software testing programs, however there are few unique features that make it different from them. These are listed right below:

  • The first and foremost feature of ISTQB certification in terms of career building is that it give a great exposure to testers in the industry after successfully completion of the program. Even it helps them to get the right job as a number of companies are hiring those testers who have certified qualification.
  • It's syllabus is absolutely formulated by experienced working groups that are composed of worldwide experts in the field of software testing including trainers, consultants, practitioners and academics. Hence, testers who are pursuing this program after cracking the examination are well guided by hundreds of IT experts at each level of the program.
  • While ISTQB accredits certain training courses, there is no need for a tester to get through expensive trainings or buy pricy study materials. For successfully pass the exmanination, only little help can work.
ISTQB provides three certification levels that are discussed below:
  • ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL): Formulated for individuals entering into the field of software testing and for professionals desire to move up the ladder of ISTQB certifications, this course content is the entry-level certification. The main objective of this level of certification is to make sure that students can get the broad understanding, fundamental best practices & the knwoledge of key concepts of the software testing. It also provides a foundation for professional growth. The syllabus of this level of certification program basically covers six important topics namely, fundamentals of testing; structural (white-box) & behavioral (black-box) test design; testing in the software lifecycle; testing tools; and test management. 
  • ISTQB Advanced Level (CTAL): As far as ISTQB Advanced Level learning is concerned, it is basically developed fot those people who have at least five years of experience as testers. It's main objective is to support an on-going professional growth, make learn the key concepts of software testing and provide the advanced understanding of the advanced best IT practices. It's syllabus is actually divided into three broad areas namely Advanced Test Manager, Advanced Technical Test Analyst and Advanced Test Analyst.
  • Expert Level (CTEL): Now when it comes to expert level then it is designed fot those testers who have a good exeperience (8 or more) in the software testing industry. The aim of this level is to make them understand the execution of the ground-breaking technologies by seasoned test professionals. It contains various topics including test automation, test process improvement, test management & industry-specific test techniques.  
What are the Advantages of ISTQB Certification?

There are many advantages of having ISTQB certification both for testers in getting the right job and organizations to hire the certified testers. These are discussed below:

For Individuals:
  • Represents recognition of an individual's professional competence
  • Get fine exposure at the time recruitment as many companies give preferance to certified testers
  • Provides incredible prestige over the non-certified individuals in the same industry
  • Gives an advantage during appraisals as a number of companies prefer certified employees
For Organizations:
  • Development of a professional standard for employees in software testing industry
  • Assist the employers in taking recruiting decisions
  • Highly competent and trained workforce employers
How to Get Prepared for the ISTQB Examination?

Now when it is the matter of getting prepared for the ISTQB examination then few points should be considered while getting the proper training. These are mentioned below:
  • Self-Guided & Self-Study: The first and foremost tip to get prepared for the ISTQB examination is that the resources like syllabus and glossary available over the internet should be well-focuses. An individual should follow the concept of self-guided and self-study as well. Once the resources are collected, then studying the important concepts of software testing on your own will work in achieving the goal.
  • E-Learning Courses: There are many institutes that provide educational courses in the software testing industry online. Such courses really benefit in performing mock test in order to check the course covered for the preparation and time taken to complete the test as well.
  • Use Books: As far as books are concerned, these help in getting through all the major concepts of software testing in detail and thoroughly so that basic understanding of any IT term is cleared.
  • Instructor-Lead Courses: There is an availability of instructor-lead courses in the industry that are provided by the leading IT professionals. A trained individual will help in understanding the testing technologies and guide in doing everything hard for cracking the ISTQB examination.
The Final Words

In order to get certified in software testing, passing the ISTQB examination is important and pass it,  professional knowledge of testing is absolutely required. For all three levels of certification, the ISTQB's international working groups create & maintain uniform curricula & exams internationally. Hence, with all the fundamentals related to ISTQB certification mentioned above, an experienced tester will definitely get the advanced training of software testing after cracking this examination successfully.